Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Pilot Study
This study assesses the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation in children and adolescents with ADHD on neuropsychological tests of visual attention, visual and verbal working memory, and inhibitory control. An auto-matched clinical trial was performed involving transcranial direct current stimulation in children and adolescents with ADHD, using SNAP-IV and subtests Vocabulary and Cubes of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III (WISC-III). Subjects were assessed before and after transcranial direct current stimulation sessions with the Digit Span subtest of the WISC-III, inhibitory control subtest of t...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Bandeira, I. D., Guimaraes, R. S. Q., Jagersbacher, J. G., Barretto, T. L., de Jesus-Silva, J. R., Santos, S. N., Argollo, N., Lucena, R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
A Diagnosis to Consider in Intellectual Disability: Mowat-Wilson Syndrome
Mowat-Wilson syndrome is a multiple congenital anomaly and intellectual disability syndrome characterized by a unique face and various other structural and functional anomalies. The condition is caused by de novo heterozygous mutations or deletions in ZEB2 gene located at 2q22. ZEB2 encodes Sip1 protein, which acts during central nervous system development as an important transcription factor. Herein, we report on 3 novel mutations in 6 patients with the syndrome, with an overview of corresponding clinical findings. Growth retardation and Hirschsprung disease were less common in the present cohort. One patient with a novel...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Kilic, E., Cetinkaya, A., Utine, G. E., Boduroglu, K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Benefit of Stereotactic Procedures in a Series of 43 Children
Conclusion:
Stereotactic procedures are accurate and save surgeries to obtain tumor tissue from eloquent areas to base further therapy on. This not only applies to adults but also to children of all ages. (Source: Journal of Child Neurology)
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Quick-Weller, J., Lescher, S., Kashefiolasl, S., Weise, L. M., Seifert, V., Marquardt, G. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Intrathecal Injections in Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Nusinersen Clinical Trial Experience
Nusinersen (ISIS-SMNRx or ISIS 396443) is an antisense oligonucleotide drug administered intrathecally to treat spinal muscular atrophy. We summarize lumbar puncture experience in children with spinal muscular atrophy during a phase 1 open-label study of nusinersen and its extension. During the studies, 73 lumbar punctures were performed in 28 patients 2 to 14 years of age with type 2/3 spinal muscular atrophy. No complications occurred in 50 (68%) lumbar punctures; in 23 (32%) procedures, adverse events were attributed to lumbar puncture. Most common adverse events were headache (n = 9), back pain (n = 9), and post–...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Hache, M., Swoboda, K. J., Sethna, N., Farrow-Gillespie, A., Khandji, A., Xia, S., Bishop, K. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
A Pilot Study of Obesogenic Eating Behaviors in Children With Migraine
We studied associations between migraine severity and obesogenic eating behaviors in children with a prospective cross-sectional, clinic-based study. Migraine severity was quantified using the PedMIDAS tool and attack frequency. Eating behaviors were assessed using the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Food intake was assessed using a Food Intake Questionnaire. Statistical tests of association between eating behavior, food intake, and adiposity with migraine severity were performed. Sixty children (mean age = 10.9 years, standard deviation = 3.1; 26 males) were recruited. Th...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Ray, S., Singh, S. B., Halford, J. C. G., Harrold, J. A., Kumar, R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Whole Exome Sequencing in Pediatric Neurology Patients: Clinical Implications and Estimated Cost Analysis
Genetic heterogeneity in neurologic disorders has been an obstacle to phenotype-based diagnostic testing. The authors hypothesized that information compiled via whole exome sequencing will improve clinical diagnosis and management of pediatric neurology patients. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of patients evaluated in the University of Michigan Pediatric Neurology clinic between 6/2011 and 6/2015. The authors recorded previous diagnostic testing, indications for whole exome sequencing, and whole exome sequencing results. Whole exome sequencing was recommended for 135 patients and obtained in 53 patients...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Nolan, D., Carlson, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Factors Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
This study investigated clinical and family characteristics associated with health-related quality of life in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Families of 176 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were identified and mailed questionnaires via the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry. Multiple linear regressions analyses were used to examine the relationship between clinical and family characteristics and child-self and parent-proxy reported health-related quality of life. Greater fatigue and use of wheelchairs were consistently associated with worse health-related quality of life independent of other factors. ...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Wei, Y., Speechley, K. N., Zou, G., Campbell, C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Siblings of Indian Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
This study determined the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in 201 siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders. Siblings were screened using Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and Social Responsiveness Scale, parent version. Screen-positive siblings were assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) criteria. The risk of autism spectrum disorder in siblings was correlated with various familial and disease characteristics of the index case. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in siblings was 4.97%. There was a significant effect of the presence of aggressive be...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Kumar, A., Juneja, M., Mishra, D. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Alexander Disease: A Novel Mutation in GFAP Leading to Epilepsia Partialis Continua
Alexander disease is a genetically induced leukodystrophy, due to dominant mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP ) gene, causing dysfunction of astrocytes. We have identified a novel GFAP mutation, associated with a novel phenotype for Alexander disease. A boy with global developmental delay and hypertonia was found to have a leukodystrophy. Genetic analysis revealed a heterozygous point mutation in exon 6 of the GFAP gene. The guanine-to-adenine change causes substitution of the normal glutamic acid codon (GAG) with a mutant lysine codon (AAG) at position 312 (E312 K mutation). At the age of 4 years, the ...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Bonthius, D. J., Karacay, B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
New Daily Persistent Headache Is Most Likely to Begin at the Start of School
This study was performed to determine if there were a time of year that children were more likely to transition into a chronic daily headache. We retrospectively reviewed records of 103 patients with chronic migraine and 104 patients with new daily persistent headache. Of these, 56 chronic migraine and 92 new daily persistent headache patients were able to identify the specific month in which they began to experience daily headaches. Thirty-nine percent of new daily persistent headache patients had an onset of daily headache in either September or January, months traditionally associated with the start of the school semest...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Grengs, L. R., Mack, K. J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The Effects of Walking Surface on the Gait Pattern of Children With Idiopathic Toe Walking
This study investigated the effects of walking surface on gait parameters in children with idiopathic toe walking. Fifteen children with idiopathic toe walking and 15 typically developing children aged 4 to 10 years completed the study, which included a barefoot gait exam over three 4-m walkways. Each of the walkways was covered with a different surface: vinyl tile, carpet, and pea gravel. Temporal-spatial parameters were recorded along with a measure of early heel rise (HR32). Children with idiopathic toe walking and typically developing children shared similarly changed gait patterns on each surfaces. Only HR32 was signi...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Fanchiang, H. D., Geil, M. D., Wu, J., Ajisafe, T., Chen, Y.-p. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Effects of Instant Messaging on School Performance in Adolescents
Instant messaging may compromise sleep quality and school performance in adolescents. We aimed to determine associations between nighttime messaging and daytime sleepiness, self-reported sleep parameters, and/or school performance. Students from 3 high schools in New Jersey completed anonymous questionnaires assessing sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, messaging habits, and academic performance. Of the 2,352 students sampled, 1,537 responses were contrasted among grades, sexes, and messaging duration, both before and after lights out. Students who reported longer duration of messaging after lights out were more likely to ...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Grover, K., Pecor, K., Malkowski, M., Kang, L., Machado, S., Lulla, R., Heisey, D., Ming, X. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Autism in Phenylketonuria Patients: From Clinical Presentation to Molecular Defects
Autism has been reported in untreated patients with phenylketonuria. The authors aimed to explore autism in 15 Tunisian and 4 Algerian phenylketonuria patients, and report their clinical, biochemical and molecular peculiarities. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised were used for the diagnosis of autism. Five exons of phenylalanine hydroxylase gene (7, 6, 10, 11, and 5) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced. Among these patients, 15 were suffering from autism at the time of evaluation. Six mutations were identified: p.E280K, p.G352Vfs, IVS10nt11, p....
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Khemir, S., Halayem, S., Azzouz, H., Siala, H., Ferchichi, M., Guedria, A., Bedoui, A., Abdelhak, S., Messaoud, T., Tebib, N., Belhaj, A., Kaabachi, N. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Assessment of Psychopathology and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Migraine
Discussion:
In children and adolescents with migraine, treatment of psychiatric disorders in addition to migraine therapy can facilitate migraine management and may decrease the need for prophylactic therapy. (Source: Journal of Child Neurology)
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Öztop, D. B., Tasdelen, B. I., PoyrazogLu, H. G., Ozsoy, S., Yilmaz, R., Sahın, N., Per, H., Bozkurt, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Use of a Cumulative Risk Scale to Predict Poor Intellectual and Academic Outcomes in Childhood Epilepsy
Discrete risk factors for poor outcomes in childhood epilepsy have been identified, but it is unclear whether the combined effect of several risk factors better predicts outcome. The Epilepsy Cumulative Risk Scale was developed to quantify cumulative risk for poor outcomes in childhood epilepsy. Participants included 156 clinic-referred children with epilepsy. The Epilepsy Cumulative Risk Scale was developed using variables previously associated with functional outcomes. Scale utility was examined through its association with intellectual and academic functioning. All Epilepsy Cumulative Risk Scale variables were significa...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - May 10, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Kavanaugh, B. C., Scarborough, V. R., Salorio, C. F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
